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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To consider a pet

44 replies

user365241987 · 19/03/2018 22:31

As above. Largely being petitioned for a dog or bunny by our kids. Mainly their cute campaign of persuasion is what is pushing me into considering. I accept a dog is a lot of work. Is a rabbit a similarly high responsibility? Can you keep it as a house rabbit easily? Not open to cats or gerbil/hamsters.

OP posts:
HarrietKettle · 19/03/2018 23:23

Aw she's so pretty :) mine was like a little dog, would beg for treats and sit on my lap to watch TV.

steppemum · 19/03/2018 23:36

we have a rabbit, chickens, fish, a cat and a dog.

In theory they all belong to the kids.
Due to serious enforcement on my behalf the rabbit and chickens are looked after by the kids (who are now 10, 13, 15) But I still need to keep a close eye. (although I still clean out rabbit)

The cat is my responsibility (I am a cat person, and only to happy to get a cat), although dd2 has recently taken it on herself to feed him.

The dog is our latest pet, and he only came because I wanted to walk a dog every day.

With each pet I have seriously considered. Do I want it, am I happy to 100% look after it, can we afford it, etc. Despite everything the kids say, they are only allowed in the door if I am happy to take them on. That way they are a welcome part of the house, and not a nasty extra chore for me.

I knew perfetcly well, that the care would fall to me, as kids just are rubbish at looking after pets long term. I sneakily cheered when dd wanted chickens (actually she wanted either chickens or snake and I was not happy to be left with the sole care of a snake)

(our rabbit started as part of a pair of house rabbits, and they chewed every electric wire int he house. Some of which we didn't discover until we moved.)

lizabes · 19/03/2018 23:50

We have a if you want a pet you have to keep a plant for 3 months first rule in our house.

Curious2468 · 20/03/2018 01:37

Guineapigs make great pets (we have 9!). Accept that any pet that enters your house belongs to you, the adult, and not the child. Are you happy to do all the feeding and cleaning for the next 5-7 years? Can you afford vets bills (one of our babies just cost us £70 due to a scratched eye and one of my sweetest pigs had to be pts due to dental issues, but not before costing us over £200 in vets fees). Do you have someone to look after them if you go away? Also do you have the space and time for them? I easily spend an hour a day feeding, handling and cleaning out my piggies. Requirements are 120cm x 50cm for a cage for 2. If all of those are a yes then I say go for it. I think pets are great for children and they learn so much by having them around.

Octave777 · 20/03/2018 02:22

Rabbits are really hard work. They are not an easy option and don't go well with really young kids.

Flatprob · 20/03/2018 10:15

Have you considered getting an older rescue dog? Of course they are still a big commitment but my 7-year-old is more than happy with one short walk (with a game or two of fetch) and then spends the rest of the day sleeping and cuddling. I could not be without him now.

Ihatemyclients · 20/03/2018 10:24

Rabbits can't be kept alone so you would need two. I'm not sure if the same is true if guinea pigs, you would need to research.

A friend of mine has house rabbits. They are both litter trained and lovely pets but they do chew so she has to be religious about keeping cables etc away from them. They also require a reasonably high level of care (both from her and from vet).

The RSPCA or SSPCA would give you loads of advice on specific animals if you want to find out more. Pets at Home also have lots of knowledgeable staff who would be able to advise even if you don't buy (if you can, much better to adopt!).

TimeIhadaNameChange · 20/03/2018 10:51

Rabbits are not suitable for children because their hind legs are too strong for their backs. They are prey animals, so are not happy being picked up as they fear they'll be eaten. If they're not held strongly enough, and they kick out trying to flee they can break their spines. Also, if they're dropped, the same thing can happen.

They can be temperamental. The one I had as a teenager would bite, once going through my mother's thumbnail. I still have scars on my hand from her, 20 years later.

They are destructive. The garden is full of warrens: it has taken a lot of money to build a run they can't escape from. In the house they chew wires, carpet, books, basically anything they can find. I have had two indoors recuperating for the last few months and I dread finding out how much damage they've caused when I finally get them outside.

On the plus side, they can be litter-trained (within reason), and are wonderful animals. Whoever coined the phrase "curiosity killed the cat" had obviously never met a rabbit. They like to stick their noses in everything! I wouldn't be without the wee beggers, but I fully accept the downsides.

Guinea pigs are also adorable, but are less likely to be housetrained. They are less hardy than rabbits, so my lot spend much of the year in the house, in a cage. They are highly vocal, and impossible to forget to feed! They're more handable than rabbits, but I still wouldn't let a young child pick them up (last one who attempted it go a major telling off from me). They're more expensive to feed, though, as they need a range of fresh fruit and veg every day, due to their inability to synthesise vitamin C.

Trinity66 · 20/03/2018 10:55

I know you don't like cats but they're probably the easiest pets to have. But yeah don't get an animal unless you're taking full responsibility for looking after it, most kids will get bored of it after a week or so

Rudgie47 · 20/03/2018 11:07

I would advise very strongly against getting a rabbit, the kids will get bored of it within a few weeks then you will have it for years and they are not the easiest pets in the world. Often they lead miserable lives stuck in tiny hutches at the bottom of the garden.
Only get a dog if one of you doesnt work full time, they need a lot of walking and in the bad weather as well.
I'd go for some rats of ginea pigs if I were you.
Totally knock the rabbit idea on the head.

Sonders · 20/03/2018 12:19

Rabbits are terrible pets, especially for children. I've had house rabbits for 6 years now, and have one who is terminally ill at the moment.

They don't like to be touched, two have chewed everything and they all poop everywhere. Sure, some can be litter trained, but some can't, any you will live in a house filled with poop. So, much poop.

Plus as PPs have said, they need companionship. We're down to our last 2 elderly rabbits and have no idea what we're going to do when we lose one in the next couple of weeks, as the other is already super stressed. They are well known to die from heartbreak.

I also have a cat, who is an absolute dream and the best pet ever - despite being a thoroughly average pet! He only poops in one place (or outside), his food isn't stinky, he loves a cuddle, doesn't care if we're out of the house for 12 hours at a time, and only destroys his own scratching post.

I vote cat every time.

FizzyGreenWater · 20/03/2018 12:56

Cats are honestly probably the easiest! No cages to clean, robust, can be good company. It's actually much less work to have a cat than any small mammal.

If cats are a no, the absolute best small animals for pets are rats - they are super friendly and clever, so make great pets. They also don't live long - so good in a way if you don't want a long term committment. After that, if you are funny about rats - guinea pigs - but they live a lot longer.

Have a look at domestic rats! They needn't look at all like wild ones - and they are a lot smaller.

Agree with no to rabbits. Rabbits are really sensitive and actually need a lot of care.

Lilyhatesjaz · 20/03/2018 19:22

I have had 4 rabbits not all at once and I would not recommend them for children. One of the rabbits we had would not let me touch him at all, none of them liked being picked up and they can be very expensive in terms of the vet.
My last rabbit was adorable she lived outside in a big hutch with full access to the garden and used to follow me around and sit with me, also saved mowing the lawn, a good pet for an adult. Also we had her 8 years.
A lot of pet shops try to sell you 2 rabbits but they don't always get on and you can end up needing 2 hutches.
If you get 2, get a male have him neutered then get a female and they should be Ok, she will need to be neutered too.
It doesn't work the other way around I found to my cost, female rabbits are very territorial.

user365241987 · 20/03/2018 21:25

This is so helpful thanks everyone. It is super helpful to hear why rabbits are unsuitable. It is making me wonder if chickens are the way to go. We have a large garden and could have space for a house and run.

OP posts:
Tunic · 20/03/2018 22:09

I have had rabbits, guinea pigs, gerbils & hamsters in the past and agree that guinea pigs were by far the nicest, they don’t scratch/bite and are very cute. I currently have a herd of teddies and they are adorable. My favourite pets are cats, yes they can live 20 odd years but there are plenty of 10+ year old cats in rescue.

Wolfiefan · 20/03/2018 22:10

Seriously. You keep switching between completely different animals with completely different needs.
If you don't have a burning desire for a particular pet then don't bother.

Beamur · 20/03/2018 22:47

I think it's good for kids to be around pets but the looking afternesrly always falls to the grown up.
It's not a bad thing to be open to the idea of a pet but flexible about what you have.
We have a dog, cats and guinea pigs, have previously also had hamsters and gerbils. The pigs are cute, but need quite a lot of looking after, but are pretty good with kids. Don't do what we did though and get 3, get 2 or 4 and a big hutch.
I've had rabbits as a child and they were nice, but I do remember getting scratched and bitten! They can have more complex health needs too. The pigs are fairly robust but I get their nails done by the vet.
Shame you don't like cats, they are probably the easiest pet to look after that you get good interaction with.

user838383 · 20/03/2018 23:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HarrietKettle · 20/03/2018 23:11

Really, there are so many ways to teach your children about animals and wildlife that don't involve getting a pet on a whim.

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